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February 28, 2025 at 5:31 pm in reply to: Rams signings & extensions: their own & outside FAs #155227
znModeratorNFL Combine 2025 Notes: Why Matthew Stafford Stayed With the Rams
Los Angeles’s decision to allow his reps to gauge his market pays off. Plus, quarterback options for the Giants, Raiders, Browns and Steelers.Albert Breer
https://www.si.com/nfl/nfl-combine-2025-notes-why-matthew-stafford-stayed-with-rams
We’re in the final few days of the NFL combine in Indianapolis. And we have one last set of notes before we wrap up the weekend on Monday …
• In the end, the Matthew Stafford saga boiled down to something remarkably simple for the 37-year-old Los Angeles Rams quarterback: Stafford likes living in Southern California and he wants to play for Sean McVay, his coach for the past four years.
Those two elements gave the Rams a level of confidence that they’d get a deal done, even as things went a little sideways the past couple of weeks, and over the past year.
Did they have alternatives? Of course. There was the chance that it wouldn’t work out with Stafford. So the idea that Aaron Rodgers could arrive on a discount, or that Jimmy Garoppolo could be a bridge were discussed, for the same reason Stafford looked at his options with the New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders and elsewhere.
In the end, in a weird way, the Rams’ decision to allow Stafford and his agent, Jimmy Sexton, to talk to other teams actually helped. It allowed Stafford to figure out his market value in an environment where nine other quarterbacks are making more than $50 million per year, and give the team a look at what a post-Stafford world would look like. It also brought into focus that each side’s best play was staying together.
So the word was Thursday night in Indianapolis that the Rams’ brass would meet with Stafford at the team facility at 6:30 a.m. Los Angeles time, and by lunchtime at the combine, the news had become public that a reunion was in the offing.
Which, obviously (at least now), is what everyone here wanted for a conclusion
February 28, 2025 at 5:26 pm in reply to: Rams signings & extensions: their own & outside FAs #155226znModeratorAdam Schefter@AdamSchefter
The Rams and Matthew Stafford were one play away from beating the Eagles in snowy Philadelphia and advancing to the NFC Championship Game in their own building. It’s clear the team is closer to a Super Bowl than not, and Stafford gives them the best chance to get there. And both sides made that happen today with a restructured deal.February 28, 2025 at 5:20 pm in reply to: Stafford’s future … update, he signed & is staying #155225znModeratorStafford had 3 consecutive come from behind wins in the 2021 postseason including the super bowl, the Rams are 5/2 in the postseason w/ him at qb, and the 2 they lost they were down by just a combined 7 points.
No one else was going to give them that.
February 28, 2025 at 5:03 pm in reply to: Rams signings & extensions: their own & outside FAs #155224znModeratorRams, Matthew Stafford agree to restructured contract that keeps QB in Los Angeles
Jourdan Rodrigue and Dianna Russini
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6166913/2025/02/28/rams-matthew-stafford-restructured-contract/
Quarterback Matthew Stafford is staying in Los Angeles, the Rams announced Friday. He will have a restructured contract to do so, league sources said.
The move came after almost a year of speculation about Stafford’s future with the team following his dissatisfaction with his contract last offseason. The Rams met with Stafford on Friday morning.
The Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants were both in the mix for Stafford, with both teams extending significant contract offers in case the quarterback was available for trade. League sources told The Athletic this week that the two teams discussed two-year deals that included between $90 million and $100 million guaranteed.
Both the Rams and Stafford also remained open to working out a deal, team and league sources said throughout the process. The two sides stayed in close communication about the matter when talks picked back up after the Super Bowl. The Rams also gave Stafford’s agent, Jimmy Sexton, permission to speak with other teams about contract terms, and those conversations unfolded through the week at the NFL Scouting Combine.
The Rams were wary about making a long-term financial commitment to a 37-year-old quarterback whose long-term future or durability they can’t be certain about – even though Stafford’s level of play inarguably gives them their best chance to win right now. Their young roster, built through two successful drafts, is now their core identity with several of those players eligible for early contract extensions in the next two seasons and that financial planning to eventually map out.
Although the Rams preferred to stay year to year on any new contract or contract adjustment, according to a league source, it was always clear that Stafford would not play on his contract as it was previously structured.
After his dispute with the team last spring over the remaining money on the four-year extension he signed in 2022, he and the Rams adjusted to effectively make it a one-year deal despite its outlined years running through 2026. Guaranteed money was front-loaded into 2024 (he had $23 million in guarantees this season on a $46.1 million cap number, per Over the Cap), and only $4 million is guaranteed next season, with none in 2026.
While Stafford’s $40-45 million in annual salary average was low relative to his production (about the middle of the NFL while he has largely produced like a top-10 quarterback in L.A.), his cash salary currently ranks No. 7 since signing the extension into 2025 at $152 million as Over the Cap initially noted.
Adjusting the deal that way paved the way for this year’s negotiation, while head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead’s lack of verbal commitment to Stafford in year-end news conferences in January opened the door to a possible trade.
Stafford missed part of the 2022 season with a spinal cord contusion after taking a record number of hits for a quarterback in the McVay era. But between 2023-24, he missed only one game due to an injury (a sprained tendon in his thumb).
Los Angeles traded for Stafford after their divisional-round loss in 2021, a move that marked the beginning of their 2022 Super Bowl run and title. The Rams have made the postseason in three of his four seasons in L.A. (Super Bowl, wild card and divisional round).
In the locker room after January’s divisional-round loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Stafford was sure he would continue playing football despite ongoing questions about his future.
“It sure feels like it,” he said with a grin when The Athletic asked him whether he felt he had good football left in him.
The Rams had no backup quarterback or long-term future behind Stafford. Former fourth-round pick Stetson Bennett was drafted in 2023 to eventually become the team’s career backup (he was their No. 3 quarterback last season), and 2024 backup Jimmy Garoppolo was signed to a one-year deal. Los Angeles picks No. 26 in the first round of this year’s draft, which isn’t considered very deep at the quarterback position.
Led by McVay, the Rams saw Garoppolo as a possible “bridge” player for the 2025 season if they did move on from Stafford this spring. A pairing with New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is expected to be released (though he has permission to speak with other teams), also was possible. The Rams were interested in Rodgers before their trade for Stafford in 2021.
In any possible replacement via free agency, the Rams would have only sought a bridge quarterback on a cheap, shorter-term deal.
Any quarterback they invest significant capital into (whether via trade, free agency or the draft) moving forward will have to be a key element in their long-term plan.
But for now, and perhaps for a run at a championship in 2025, Stafford will still lead the Rams.
February 28, 2025 at 5:00 pm in reply to: Rams signings & extensions: their own & outside FAs #155223znModeratorThe Rams are in the process of extending LT Alaric Jackson on a three-year deal, per source. ESPN and @schultzreport.bsky.social have reported it to be worth $57 million. Similar to their approach with Kevin Dotson in 2023, got the sense they didn’t want this to drag out in the open market.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@jourdanrodrigue.bsky.social) 2025-02-28T21:43:59.362Z
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Ari Meirov@MySportsUpdate
The #Rams and LT Alaric Jackson have agreed to terms on a 3-year, $57M deal. Jackson, who has started 35 games for LA, was set to be one of the top OL free agents.Rams Bros.@RamsBrothers
Rams just gave Alaric Jackson a 3-year, $57MM deal with $35MM guaranteed.Insanely good value for a top-15 LT. He’ll continue protecting Stafford’s blindside.
znModeratorSteven Jackson’s final 100+ yard rushing performance as a Ram – 2012 against Arizona. Jack powered his way to 139 rushing yards including a 48 yard scamper @sj39 pic.twitter.com/BvskUYMOiS
— RAMS ON FILM (@RamsOnFilm) February 28, 2025
February 28, 2025 at 12:02 am in reply to: Stafford’s future … update, he signed & is staying #155213znModeratorMain take away for me: Stafford and Rams separated on money and terms (years). There are some in Rams organization intent on sticking to their numbers. The two sides are probably not as close as some of us have assumed… https://t.co/kwHHg4poOW
— Rams Fans United (@RamsFansUnited) February 27, 2025
znModeratorAri Meirov@MySportsUpdate
The #Rams have given permission to G Jonah Jackson to seek a trade, per @JFowlerESPN. LA signed the former Lions Pro Bowler to a 3-year, $51M contract last offseason.WHAT is McSnead up to this year?
w
vThat;s just money. They have Limmer at center so they don’t need Jackson. So as it turns out J.Jackson was an ill-conceived FA signing similar to Allen Robinson in 2022–the receiver they ended up letting go cause he never fit in (after having traded away Woods cause they signed him).
Sometimes these guys improvise and it means they’re open to unexpected possibilities. Like trading for Ramsey during the season…even though they already had Talib and Peters. Sometimes though it leads to ill-advised FA signings like A.Robinson and J.Jackson.
znModeratorAri Meirov@MySportsUpdate
The #Rams have given permission to G Jonah Jackson to seek a trade, per @JFowlerESPN. LA signed the former Lions Pro Bowler to a 3-year, $51M contract last offseason.February 26, 2025 at 10:13 pm in reply to: Stafford’s future … update, he signed & is staying #155208znModeratorRams Bros.@RamsBrothers
Legit report: Matthew Stafford went skiing, ran into Tom Brady.Reporter going for clicks: Tom Brady hosted Matthew Stafford at his Montana home. Brady cooked him a full TB12 dinner, the two watched Step Brothers, compared the sizes of their Super Bowl rings and had a sleepover.
Jordan Schultz@Schultz_Report
If you really think Tom Brady and Matthew Stafford just happened to run into each other at a ski resort in Montana — of all places — at the exact same time, I’ve got a bridge to sell you.They were together over the weekend —it happened. Multiple teams are interested in Stafford, and Brady has been leading the charge to get him to the Raiders if the Rams decide to trade him
znModeratorThe Rams have not attended the combine since 2020, but many members of their scouting department are actually here tonight – to accept the Inside the League 2024 Best Draft Award: pic.twitter.com/WLEnNpoAbw
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) February 26, 2025
February 26, 2025 at 1:45 am in reply to: Stafford’s future … update, he signed & is staying #155202znModeratorroberto clemente@rclemente2121
qb leads his team to double-digit wins and the postseason in 3 out of the 4 season he’s been with the team and, oh yeah, he also led the team to a super bowl win in that time.now he wants to be paid.
so confusing.
just doesn’t add up.lol.
znModeratorYeah, I would think they will at least ‘try’ to trade back. I doubt anyone is available at 26 who would be a game-changer.
I can see it going that way.
But this draft is deep at 3 or 4 positions, so 26 could land them someone. We didn’t think the 19th pick last year would yield much, and it got them the defensive rookie of the year.
The draft is very deep at corner, and good at TE, OT, and WR.
It being deep can mean you can still get a guy in the 2nd round. But it can also mean that a guy at one of those positions could show up at 26 who is rated high for that low in round 1 and so is a way better than average pick for the 26th spot.
If they want a 2nd rounder they could also trade away the 2026 first rounder for it.
Anyway just me speculaterizing.
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znModerator.@RamsNFL @eagles the last time we saw Mathew Stafford play ball; he had every Eagle fan with their hearts in their hands. He is the biggest name in the QB game right now. Is he on the move? #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/2QZaHeeYV7
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) February 25, 2025
February 24, 2025 at 5:29 pm in reply to: Stafford’s future … update, he signed & is staying #155193znModeratorznModerator
February 24, 2025 at 10:58 am in reply to: Stafford’s future … update, he signed & is staying #155188znModeratorPeter Schrager@PSchrags
My latest insights on Stafford and the Rams.Me: vid is in previous post, this article is based on that vid.
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Peter Schrager shares latest on ‘really tough, awkward situation’ with Rams and Matthew Stafford
Cameron DaSilva
Every day that passes by without a resolution to Matthew Stafford’s contract situation seems to be a step toward the Los Angeles Rams splitting with their quarterback. While reports indicate the Rams would like to keep Stafford, it all comes down to money. https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/17/rams-matthew-stafford-future-stay-los-angeles/
He wants more than he’s currently set to make in 2025 but the Rams appear unwilling to meet his asking price, so they’ve gotten into a standoff – similar to the one that dragged out last offseason leading up to training camp. Only this time, there’s far more urgency to get something done.
NFL Network’s Peter Schrager is friends with Sean McVay so anytime he talks about the Rams, it’s worth listening to. On Monday, he provided the latest update on this ongoing situation and it doesn’t sound like much progress has been made, if any.
Schrager started by saying the relationship between Stafford and McVay isn’t fractured at all, and that this is strictly about money. According to Schrager, Stafford wants more than $50 million per year, which would be at least a $10 million raise in salary compared to his current deal, which pays him $40 million annually.
Stafford’s agent has gotten permission to talk to teams about what they’d be willing to pay him and Schrager reported there are some teams that would give Stafford more than the Rams are currently willing to pay. https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/21/rams-trade-agent-talk-other-teams-contract-value/
“There are teams that are willing to pay him more than what the Rams are currently willing to pay him,” Schrager said. “The question is, does Stafford want to go to those teams? And what are those teams willing to give up? It’s all very awkward because McVay and Stafford may end up together, and it’s just like, ‘Well, that was water under the bridge. That was business. We got to keep the emotional side separate from the business side here.’”
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported on Monday that at least four teams have thrown their hat in the ring for Stafford, so there’s no question he will have a market if the Rams decide to trade him. https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/24/nfl-insider-says-at-least-4-teams-have-thrown-their-hats-in-the-ring-for-matthew-stafford/ Of course, it may not come to that if the Rams can get a deal done with Stafford, but it doesn’t look like the finish line is anywhere in sight for these two parties.
And while things are amicable right now, Schrager says, it could get ugly if the negotiations drag out.
“It’s a really tough, awkward situation because there is a real friendship, they have a Super Bowl championship together, and there’s no real bad blood at the moment, but the longer this thing proceeds, the uglier it could get,” he said. “I don’t know if I could envision a world where the Rams go on without Stafford. I think everyone would love Stafford to come back, but I don’t think the Rams are going to break their back to pay Matthew Stafford top dollar. And if he’s OK with that to go pursue a Super Bowl, fine. And if he’s not, no shame in that. Go get the money and you think you deserve.”
What makes this negotiation even tougher is the fact that neither side really has the leverage. Schrager floated Aaron Rodgers as someone who would probably love to play for McVay in Los Angeles, and he also mentioned Jimmy Garoppolo as another potential option for around $10 million.
The Rams aren’t necessarily handcuffed at quarterback if they lose Stafford, even if he does give them the best chance to win a title. And as for Stafford, he clearly has teams interested in acquiring him, which takes leverage away from the Rams. It’s also a question of whether Stafford would want to move his family across the country to a city like Pittsburgh or New York.
“So you look at the teams and you look at the options for the Rams,” Schrager said. “Say you trade him to the Steelers. Are the Steelers willing to give a first- or second-round pick and pay Matthew Stafford $50-plus million? And is Stafford willing to go play in Pittsburgh in the cold weather? And Kelly and the four girls, are they going to want to go move out to Pittsburgh? How about the Giants? They’re not giving up the third overall pick, but would they be willing to give up the 34th overall pick and pay him $55 million? If that’s the case, does that make sense? The Raiders are an option. Who knows? You can go down the list.
“The issue with this year for Stafford is if they do trade Matthew Stafford, there are quarterbacks who would likely love to play for the Rams. Aaron Rodgers lives in Malibu in the offseason. You don’t think he’d want to just mix it up for a discounted price and play with Sean McVay for a year? Of course he would. So, who has the leverage here? Where are they going to go? Jimmy Garoppolo, they could pay $10 million in McVay might think, ‘I could win games with Garoppolo.’”
With seemingly no end in sight, it’s hard to know which direction this negotiation will go. The Rams want Stafford back but aren’t going to give him a blank check. Stafford would probably like to finish his career in Los Angeles but he wants to be paid what he feels he’s worth.
Stafford’s agent and the Rams are expected to talk this week at the NFL combine, which could move things along. But with no hard deadline, this could go on for a bit longer without a resolution.
February 24, 2025 at 10:54 am in reply to: Stafford’s future … update, he signed & is staying #155187znModeratorMy latest insights on Stafford and the Rams. pic.twitter.com/mHNebdmCkY
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) February 24, 2025
znModeratorBrett Kollmann@BrettKollmann
For the starting lineups of every single Super Bowl-winning team going back to 2010, these were the three “rounds” that accounted for the most starting talent.1. Second round
2. First round
3. UDFAFebruary 22, 2025 at 1:29 pm in reply to: Stafford’s future … update, he signed & is staying #155185znModeratorCould Matthew Stafford really end up playing somewhere other than Los Angeles in 2025? When might a decision be made on his #NFL home?#NFLCombine #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/T4KFvFZHbN
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) February 21, 2025
February 22, 2025 at 2:44 am in reply to: a late start…time for the thread on Trump atrocities, or “Trumpocities” #155184znModeratorFebruary 22, 2025 at 12:48 am in reply to: Stafford’s future … update, he signed & is staying #155183znModeratorJourdanRodrigue@jourdanrodrigue.bsky.social
Dan Duggan and I go back and forth on Stafford/Giants :***
Would Rams really trade Matthew Stafford to Giants? Examining a potential deal
By Dan Duggan and Jourdan Rodrigue
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6146076/2025/02/20/matthew-stafford-trade-giants-rams/
It’s no secret the New York Giants are desperate to find a quarterback. They literally don’t have one — there are no quarterbacks currently under contract.
General manager Joe Schoen announced after the Giants completed a 3-14 season that the team will “look at any avenue we can to upgrade the position.”
“We’ll look at free agency. We can also look throughout the draft, potential trade opportunities,” Schoen said.
The inclusion of “trade opportunities” was notable, especially with the expectation at the time that the Giants, who have the No. 3 pick, would most likely target a quarterback in the draft. As time has passed, there has been surprising buzz about a potential trade target: Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford.
There’s enough smoke around the Stafford-to-New York rumors that a deeper dive into the situation is warranted. So I enlisted colleague Jourdan Rodrigue, the most plugged-in Rams reporter there is, to find out if a Stafford trade is realistic.
Since any actual trade discussions will be initiated by the Giants, let me open our discussion with a simple question: Why on earth would the Rams be open to trading Stafford?
RODRIGUE In a sane and logical world, they wouldn’t be! But as we know, sometimes football gets weird …
Stafford had a dispute with his existing contract extension (signed in 2022, after he helped the Rams win the Super Bowl at SoFi Stadium in L.A.) as early as last spring, and his camp let that be known during the first round of that year’s draft. This dragged out all spring and summer and even into the first day of training camp, during which coach Sean McVay pushed back his opening news conference by three hours while working out the eventual adjustment with Stafford that morning. The adjustment effectively front-loaded most of Stafford’s remaining guarantees into 2024 and kept the door open to revisit the rest of the existing contract this spring.
Now we’re here: There’s no chance Stafford will play on just $4 million in guarantees in 2025, so the contract must be adjusted again. The Rams, on the other hand, didn’t commit publicly to the QB in their season-ending news conferences last month and will be hesitant to shell out a huge sum or a lengthy deal with Stafford turning 37 earlier this month. That’s why all of this is up in the air — and curious teams are undoubtedly sniffing around.
Know of any?
DUGGAN Funny you should ask! I can think of a certain team desperate for a quarterback with a GM and coach on the hot seat. The Giants’ rumored interest in Stafford makes perfect sense for this regime, especially if it’s not all-in on drafting a quarterback with the No. 3 pick (or earlier).
After suffering through two seasons of heinous quarterback play, it’s easy to see why the Giants would be interested in adding a proven winner who was tied for fifth in Mike Sando’s annual QB tiers ranking last summer. Schoen and coach Brian Daboll are under pressure from ownership to win or else in their fourth season. No (potentially) available quarterback offers a better path to winning than Stafford.
The question is the cost to acquire Stafford. Even if the Giants are convinced they’re a quarterback away from contending, there are still obvious holes in a roster that won three games last season. So they need to guard against mortgaging the future in a trade for a 37-year-old. So, the first part of the compensation equation: What do you think Stafford will be looking for in a new contract to facilitate a trade?
RODRIGUE Stafford would make most quarterback-needy teams much more competitive, which is why I genuinely believe the ready-to-win Rams would like to get something done if they can. But what would he accept? Back off, aggregators, because the following is my opinion: I think Stafford believes he has plenty more football left after two relatively stable seasons; I think he knows he’ll be a hotly-debated future Hall of Fame candidate (I believe he merits induction); and I think he got a taste of winning postseason football games too late in his career and wants more. When I watch him play when he’s feeling his best, there’s no question he’s got juice left.
There is a level of financial respectability owed to a quarterback of his stature. The fact that he wasn’t happy with last year’s number before the adjustment, especially the guarantees, is telling of where his floor is now.
However, I don’t believe the Rams want to make a long-term, high-cost investment in any quarterback they don’t know for sure is part of their future because they now feature a young roster with multiple high-dollar contract extensions soon due. They could be looking at shorter-term or flexible terms without shelling out top money.
While one side of that scale might be doable for another team, if it’s between the Rams and Stafford, then both sides will have to meet closer to the middle for this to get worked out. That means the Rams might have to pay more or pad guarantees or even increase the years, OR Stafford would have to accept less. Or both! The Rams are also likely asking themselves whether it’s worth facing this question all over again the next couple of offseasons, or would it be easier to cut ties now and pursue a bridge player en route to finding their long-term future at the position?
DUGGAN OK, so whatever the number is, I think we can end the fantasy of Stafford coming to the Giants on his eminently affordable existing contract. The other major question from the Giants’ perspective is, what do you think the Rams would be looking for in return if they do decide to deal Stafford?
RODRIGUE Funny thing about the Rams, they sometimes will ask for the moon — why not? — while ultimately expecting to land somewhere else in the atmosphere. They don’t have a second-round pick in 2025 because they used it to trade up last year for Braden Fiske. They also don’t like where they’re sitting in the first round (No. 26); GM Les Snead refers to picking in the 20s as “purgatory.”
In a deal for Stafford, acquiring a pick high enough to package and move up for a top receiver or offensive lineman, or acquiring enough picks to package together to go after a few need positions would probably be worth listening to. In this case, I look less at that tasty No. 3 overall pick and more at No. 34 (and then some) … though you’ve got to at least ask, right?!
DUGGAN The Rams definitely need to ask about No. 3, and the Giants definitely need to hang up the phone. No. 34 is where the conversation gets interesting. I don’t know how the Rams make the trade if they can’t get that second-round pick (plus more). Pick No. 34 would be a steep price to pay, but I don’t think a Giants offer will be taken seriously without their second-rounder. How much more they have to give up will depend on a combination of their level of desperation and the competition for Stafford.
Your point about Stafford clearly still having juice when he’s feeling his best raised my antenna to some nagging questions about a 37-year-old who has battled injuries. Have there been signs of decline? Strictly looking at the box score stats, there’s been a dip since that magical 2021 Super Bowl season. But what have you seen watching him every week?
And on a related note, how much of a concern is durability? He has only missed one start due to injury in the past two seasons, but he missed eight games in 2022 and, from afar, seems to be banged up often.
RODRIGUE Stafford wasn’t on the injury report all season, and you’re correct to note he has only missed one game due to injury over the last two. However, we annually seem to find out how much he was playing through either via allusions to this by McVay or, in the case of this year’s ribs injury, via his wife Kelly Stafford’s podcast. There’s no question he can still play. The arm talent is still so clear; he can make any throw you’d want and some you didn’t think were possible. He’s willing to move more in recent seasons to pick up easy yards when available, but he’s far from a mobile quarterback.
I’d add that through the back third or so of the 2024 season, he played poorer football than I have seen from him in his time in L.A.. He managed more games than he directly won during that span. He also admitted he didn’t play well. However, in the playoffs, he turned back into an absolute killer. Can you tell I am not quite done watching him here in L.A., yet?
DUGGAN I get it … which is why it’s so hard for me to fathom the Rams trading him! The last time we saw him, he was driving with a chance to beat the Super Bowl champion Eagles in the divisional round. Anyway, the Giants would be dreaming about being in that position if they make the trade. But it would need to happen fast, especially with the retirement talk that has swirled around Stafford in recent years. I know he said in an interview last summer that he hoped to play three or four more years. So, we’re down to two or three more years based on that timeline.
I don’t know if he’s said anything more about his future, or if you have a better sense for how much longer he’ll play. All I know is the Giants just traded a third-round pick for Darren Waller, and he retired a year later. They can’t afford that type of debacle with Stafford.
RODRIGUE Some of the retirement talk definitely seemed to help move the needle on previous contracts, I’ll just say that. And my personal opinion? That dude will throw the ball around until the wheels fall off, so long as he’s being paid a respectable sum to do it, he feels healthy and his team has a plan to win. Any team Stafford plays for will have to walk the line between top-level play, his march toward 40 and the risks that come with. If the Rams don’t want to pay top money in the context of that risk (and I don’t believe they do, even though I do believe they want Stafford to be their QB), and another team is OK with all of it, that team should make the call.
DUGGAN The whole “plan to win” thing seems like it could be a sticking point with the Giants. Stafford doesn’t have a no-trade clause, but he can effectively quash a deal if he says he doesn’t want to play for a suitor. So, here’s the (multi) million-dollar question from the Giants’ perspective: Do you think Stafford would be interested in coming to New York?
RODRIGUE That’s a big, big question. I can’t speak for him, of course, but I do think he absolutely thrives in the spotlight, so the market and the back pages aren’t a deterrent. The Giants also have a top receiver and an offensive-minded head coach, plus a defense that can hold its own especially if given half a chance by its offense. If they pay Stafford, that’s another factor in their favor. I don’t think it’s an accident (or subtle) that ESPN’s Adam Schefter recently noted Chad Hall, Stafford’s brother-in-law, now coaches in New York. You tell me, Dan, having watched every snap — is their offensive line respectable enough for a quarterback who isn’t exactly mobile?
DUGGAN The O-line progressed to functional when stud left tackle Andrew Thomas was in the lineup last season. And if the Giants are going to make the plunge for Stafford, I expect they’ll be equally aggressive to upgrade the protection in front of their investment.
Schefter adding that link between Hall and Stafford while breaking the hiring of the Giants’ assistant QB coach — surely a huge scoop in his world — was just another log on the fire of this smoldering rumor. Things will start to get real — or not — soon. So let’s finish up this speculation by setting the table for what’s to come.
Rams brass made it clear after the season that it wants a quicker resolution with Stafford than last year. You reported this week that the sides have had some initial conversations and plan to continue those in the near future. League-wide business will pick up at the NFL Scouting Combine next week. So, when do you expect we’ll find out if Stafford will be back in LA or on his way out?
RODRIGUE If I’m McVay, I want this resolved before the mandatory NFL combine interviews with the media take place (McVay and Snead won’t be in Indianapolis, per usual, but will speak virtually). I know the Rams will not let this situation drag out through the spring, as it did last year. I don’t believe this is contentious at all, and based on their initial conversation, everybody knows where everybody is at. However, if the Rams want to keep any leverage against a full payout, they’ll need to have a clear understanding of what their trade options (and their bridge QB options) are, and Stafford’s agent Jimmy Sexton will want a full picture of what he could stand to make elsewhere. That’s a long way of saying this could be figured out before next week, or it could take until after the combine. It’s fluid, for sure, and I’ve learned by now that you never can rest too easily at any time in the football calendar when the Rams are working on something.
DUGGAN Well, that five-week offseason was fun! It’s back to work, with Stafford’s fate looming as one of the biggest dominos in the league. We’ll have you covered from coast-to-coast on how this situation unfolds.
February 22, 2025 at 12:39 am in reply to: raid’s on…Rams coaches get poached…update, front office too #155182znModeratorJourdan Rodrigue @jourdanrodrigue.bsky.social
The Rams’ James Gladstone will be the new GM of the Jaguars, the team announces – at just 34, he has been a key architect behind their scouting, draft and talent identification process.Internal candidates to potentially step into Gladstone’s role likely include Jake Temme and Nicole Blake.
I spent a year behind the scenes with the Rams scouting department with Gladstone as my main point of contact throughout. You can read about the processes he’ll implement in “Finding Rams”: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5461276/2024/05/02/nfl-draft-scouting-process-rams-behind-the-scenes/
znModeratorfrom PFF 101: The top 101 players from the 2024 NFL season — https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-pff-101-the-top-101-players-from-the-2024-nfl-season?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=dhtwitter&utm_content=null
29. WR Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
Nacua finished the 2024 season with the NFL’s highest receiving grade (92.6), leading the league in both yards per route run (3.23) — well ahead of the next closest qualifier (2.86) — and threat percentage (35.6%). He would have been a lock for the top 10 on this list if he had maintained that production over a full season. However, with just 350 receiving snaps — less than half of the league leader—his limited workload pushes him slightly further down the rankings.27. EDGE Jared Verse, Los Angeles Rams
As PFF’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, Verse rightfully earns his place on this list ahead of some more established names at the position. While many top edge rushers unleash their explosiveness primarily on passing downs, Verse’s relentless motor shows up on every snap. He finished in the top 10 among edge defenders in both pass-rush grade (85.5) and run-defense grade (81.0), proving his all-around impact.February 21, 2025 at 3:40 pm in reply to: Stafford’s future … update, he signed & is staying #155180znModeratorRams letting Matthew Stafford's agent talk to other teams to gauge contract value https://t.co/KekMzfTz4x pic.twitter.com/4lVsNfUEu0
— Rams Wire (@TheRamsWire) February 21, 2025
February 21, 2025 at 3:27 pm in reply to: a late start…time for the thread on Trump atrocities, or “Trumpocities” #155179znModeratorRise Up for Justice, from Facebook
It’s taken a few days to trickle down, but I’m seeing post after post after post in the ag community social media channels of massive issues impacting U.S. farmers and the U.S. ag economy from Trump’s DOGE efforts, tariff wars and the USAID shutdown.
Here are a few:*Cotton and grain growers are losing contracts to long-time Canadian buyers because, even with the tariff pause, Canadian buyers don’t trust the stability of U.S. export commerce with Trump in office. Plus, Canadians are just flat-out pissed and avoiding U.S. made/produced goods, including farm products.
. https://x.com/cturnbull1968/status/1886862409798967425
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/as-more-people-buy-canadian-these-farmers-are-reaping-the-benefits-1.7454750?fbclid=IwY2xjawIlvq9leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHQjCJyWmZpzKt4RV4ccxxy8EZgrC2ugndiAQHYrLBDN1PowXxmZQpdsa8g_aem_4dpgoIQTV6qsOOG05iHSgQ* Chuck Grassley, of all people, is pleading with Trump to exempt potash from any Canadian tariffs because U.S. potash (a major fertilizer in agriculture) mainly comes from Canada. Impending tariffs will shoot farmers’ fertilizer prices sky-high.
SOURCES:* Corn and soybean farmers are upset because Trump cancelled all of Biden’s Climate Smart grants that were supposed to help them offset their adoption of soil health improving new practices like no-till and cover cropping.
SOURCES:* USAID’s cancellation cuts $2 billion straight out of U.S. farmer’s pockets from the Food for Peace program which purchased rice, wheat, corn and soy from U.S. farmers and distributed them to hungry nations. In some states and for some crops, USAID was their primary buyer.
SOURCES:* USDA NRCS is cancelling conservation contracts and leaving farmers holding the bag. These are things like fence improvements and upgraded water lines that boost farmer efficiency while also conserving the environment. Plus, the way they work is the farmer has to do the work first, then once they are done, the NRCS reimburses them. So now farmers that have spent the money to do the work are being told the NRCS won’t honor their contracts.
SOURCES:
. https://farmpolicynews.illinois.edu/2025/02/usda-freezes-conservation-other-direct-farmer-funding/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIlv4JleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHT9CxOBa543hQNzO-R_UpDC-iMYZkI35z2pB0Ytk8FHr5gSAWRRjZbfI7w_aem_zIxCXm8bZXMdzyuo1IB_Fw* California farmers are PISSED because his “turn on the taps” PR move did nothing to combat California wildfires and instead wasted 2 BILLION gallons of water being held in reservoirs for summer irrigation.
SOURCES:
. https://www.npr.org/2025/02/07/nx-s1-5287016/farmers-are-worried-after-trump-released-billions-of-gallons-of-water-in-california?fbclid=IwY2xjawIlv6xleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHZJnNMh2J-qCu2t4SRVGAlQAtsBdtzOH-IjlPa5ijnEszYhsTwvfjrpCpQ_aem_KME9CPiwwxHzQ4zN05vSxQ* U.S. crop farmers are freaked out over the trade wars since Canada, China and Mexico represent half – let me repeat that again, HALF, of all U.S. agricultural exports!
SOURCES:
. https://www.wdam.com/2025/02/08/trump-tariffs-could-impact-prices-mississippi-farmers-fence-about-local-impact/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIlv9JleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHZJnNMh2J-qCu2t4SRVGAlQAtsBdtzOH-IjlPa5ijnEszYhsTwvfjrpCpQ_aem_KME9CPiwwxHzQ4zN05vSxQ* Per Trump’s freeze on financial contracts, the USDA is withholding funds for the Organic Market Development Grant program and the Transition to Organic Partnership Program, which typically go directly to organic farmers or to non-profits supporting organic farmers.
SOURCES:
. https://www.eenews.net/articles/usda-pauses-2-organic-programs-leaving-farmers-on-the-hook-for-millions/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIlwAdleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHWJiAOHxX4h21nhob8gb41V7fIA1nzmbwTz1qdcmcjnwSyDYNFwSCSdiyA_aem_pUPwP5EH6ls8GHLHvkWA6Q* The shutdown of USAID has been trickling down through multiple ag-focused agencies, including the Soybean Innovation Labs, which were hosted at land-grant universities across the U.S.. These research labs focused on developing new genetics and growing practices in soybeans critical to U.S. and international growers. They had to close the entire program, laying off 30 scientists and researchers in 19 labs across 17 states.
SOURCE:* K State University lost up to $50 million that was pledged through a USAID Program over the next five years to advance research in “sustainable intensification,” an approach focused on increasing crop yields without expanding agricultural land use, expected to directly benefit Kansas (and U.S.) farmers.
SOURCES:
. https://thisistopeka.com/2025/02/k-state-losses-50-million-dollars/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIlwItleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHWJiAOHxX4h21nhob8gb41V7fIA1nzmbwTz1qdcmcjnwSyDYNFwSCSdiyA_aem_pUPwP5EH6ls8GHLHvkWA6Q* China’s retaliatory tariffs (although not yet on crops, we shall see) are expected to have a major impact on U.S. ag machinery manufacturers, who were already struggling and have had massive lay-offs over the last 12 months. China imported almost $800 million of U.S.-manufactured ag machinery in 2020.
SOURCES:
. https://www.manufacturingdive.com/news/china-targets-us-farm-equipment-tariffs-Deere-CNH-AEM/739278/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIlwKhleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHZO6mXojUtPFW-g7qlRSdLePVuTVDH_bzwAIy7tmT4JNSxaWupMNrDErpQ_aem_6e82a1-6pvwHVQC3-4_ENAAnd it goes on and on and on with new, major issues coming to light on a near-hourly basis. My heart hurts for U.S. farmers and U.S. farm communities, large and small, that are needlessly and thoughtlessly being impacted by this.
February 20, 2025 at 9:23 pm in reply to: a late start…time for the thread on Trump atrocities, or “Trumpocities” #155176znModeratorYour company was fined $1.7 billion for defrauding Medicare, so maybe shut the fuck up about our money. https://t.co/pcPmmedQkb
— Mike Nellis (@MikeNellis) February 19, 2025
znModeratorStu Jackson@StuJRams
NFL Network Lead Draft Analyst Daniel Jeremiah hosting conference call with reporters ahead of next week’s combine. Asked him about Rams addressing needs by sticking + picking at 26th pick vs. trading back and collecting extra picks, and he said he’d be for the latter. Likes Day 2 options for CB, WR and TE, less confident in Day 2 options for tackleNFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah on Rams’ options at No. 26 overall pick in 2025 draft, including why he would be in favor of trading back and collecting extra picks
Stu Jackson
The Rams are scheduled to pick in the first round for the second-straight year, holding the No. 26 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
However, they currently do not have a 2025 second-round pick after trading theirs to the Panthers as part of moving up to select defensive end Braden Fiske in last year’s draft. While Fiske’s team-leading 8.5 sacks and Defensive Rookie of the Year-finalist performance more than justified that decision, it currently has Los Angeles looking at a big gap between its first two selections in this year’s draft.
On a conference call Thursday ahead of next week’s scouting combine, NFL Network lead draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah was asked by TheRams.com if it made more sense to stick-and-pick at 26th overall, or trade back to acquire more picks given the aforementioned gap.
Jeremiah said he’d be in favor of trading back.
“Well, (Rams general manager) Les (Snead) has done such a good job in that range, so getting out of there and collecting extra picks, I’m all for that, especially when you kind of look at the direction that they could be looking,” Jeremiah said. “The tackle (position), I wouldn’t feel as confident of what you are going to get if you trade back, but there’s still a need for corners, receivers. They could pluck a tight end. That’s good position groups there on Day 2. If they were to slide back a little bit and collect some more resources there, I’ve got a lot of respect and appreciation for their ability to scout and find guys there. That would definitely make sense to me.”
Cornerback and wide receiver make sense as positions of need for the Rams. Ahkello Witherspoon is a pending unrestricted free agent at cornerback, and Los Angeles has two at wide receiver in Demarcus Robinson and Tutu Atwell. Additionally, Cooper Kupp announced on social media earlier this month that the team intended to trade him.
In his latest mock draft, Jeremiah projected the Rams to take Toledo defensive tackle Darious Alexander – one of his top performers at this year’s Senior Bowl – at No. 26.
“Alexander flashed every day in practice this week,” Jeremiah wrote in his Senior Bowl recap for NFL.com. “His combination of size and athleticism is really impressive. He has long arms (34 inches) and is a rangy interior defensive lineman. His body type reminds me of Chiefs All-Pro DT Chris Jones.”
Jeremiah said on Thursday’s conference call it’s “the deepest defensive tackle class I can remember.”
Speaking of depth, Jeremiah has five cornerbacks in his top 50, five wide receivers (five including two-way star Travis Hunter, whom he lists at that position instead of corner), and four tight ends. As for offensive tackle, he has five on that list, but four of the five are projected to be off the board by the time the Rams are on the clock, based on his latest mock draft.
In his first mock draft, he had the Rams taking Oregon offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr.
znModeratorRams Bros.@RamsBrothers
Stafford was really stiff-arming Fred Warner with cracked ribs, and then proceeded to play the rest of the entire season without mentioning one word about it…znModeratorStu Jackson@StuJRams
NFL Network Lead Draft Analyst Daniel Jeremiah hosting conference call with reporters ahead of next week’s combine. Asked him about Rams addressing needs by sticking + picking at 26th pick vs. trading back and collecting extra picks, and he said he’d be for the latter. Likes Day 2 options for CB, WR and TE, less confident in Day 2 options for tackle -
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